Controversial Transgender Law To Be Repealed

On Monday, the Charlotte, NC City Council repealed the HB2 law that was passed early 2016, requiring people to use the the bathroom according to their biological sex on their birth certificate.

After the repeal, Governor-elect Roy Cooper put out a statement confirming that the HB2 law will be repealed at the General Assembly special session this Tuesday. Governor Pat McCrory publicly confirmed that the special sessions is convening for this purpose alone.

Cooper stated, “Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore assured me that as a result of Charlotte’s vote, a special session will be called for Tuesday to repeal HB2 in full. I hope they will keep their word to me and with the help of Democrats in the legislature, HB2 will be repealed in full.”

As a result of passing the HB2 law early this year, many corporations stopped their plans to bring jobs back to Charlotte. The NBA, NCAA and ACC have all relocated their sports events out of the state. Cooper, during his campaign, blamed this law for the millions of dollars lost. He ran his campaign on the idea’s that a “Full repeal will help to bring jobs, sports and entertainment events back and will provide the opportunity for strong LGBT protections in our state.”

Governor McCrory responded to Coopers statements saying that Charlotte leaders are the ones to blame for this problem and not the HB2 law. McCrory along with lawmakers have gone to bat for the HB2 law, insisting that it provides privacy and safety from men entering into female bathrooms, however, his opposition believe the law is discriminatory.

Graham Wilson, McCrory’s Press Secretary stated that, “Now that the Charlotte ordinance has been repealed, the expectation of privacy in our showers, bathrooms and locker rooms is restored and protected under previous state law. Governor McCrory has always publicly advocated a repeal of the overreaching Charlotte ordinance. But those efforts were always blocked by Jennifer Roberts, Roy Cooper and other Democratic activists. This sudden reversal with little notice after the gubernatorial election sadly proves this entire issue originated by the political left was all about politics and winning the governor’s race at the expense of Charlotte and our entire state.”

Other groups, like the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), have also given statements since Monday’s announcement. Mark Jewell, the President of the NCAE said, “NCAE supports Governor-elect Cooper’s call for an immediate and full repeal of House Bill 2 during a special session. This short-sighted discriminatory law set North Carolina back decades and had a negative impact on our state’s reputation. More importantly it had a devastating impact on students who face a greater chance of violence and bullying. As educators we must make sure our schools are welcoming and safe for everyone. Our state’s leaders must ensure that as well. Today we stand with Governor-elect Cooper for a swift and full repeal to protect our students and to start repairing our state’s damaged reputation.”

The Federal Justice Department, as well as transgender residents, had sued the state over the HB2 law. McCrory, Berger and Moore defended the state in court. The litigation has been delayed, as the U.S. Supreme court hears another case, in Virginia, pushing for transgenders to have access to the restroom of their choosing.

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